2017 D23 Expo Animation Panel Recap

I recapped the 2017 Live-Action Panel already but now it’s time to talk about the 2017 D23 Expo Animation Panel. In this panel, I saw the funniest thing EVER to come out of Disney. Here’s what happened.

I went to the 2017 D23 Expo for all the movie news, I’ll be honest.

Sure, the Disney Parks panel was going to be ah-mazing if even half of the internet rumors were true (spoiler alert: they WERE!) but the movie previews are what brought me to Anaheim.

2017 D23 Expo Animation Panel Recap

COCO

I’m starting off with what was actually the finale of the panel. COCO brought the house down with an incredible performance by Anthony Gonzalez (Miguel) and Benjamin Bratt (Ernesto de la Cruz).

They sang “Remember Me” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (the same songwriters behind Frozen).

There were more than 160 performers including Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles under the direction of Kareli Montoya, and?the?Grammy?-winning Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band in the hall— ?and we were all dancing in our seats!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)

?Our film embraces a broad landscape of music,? said director?Lee Unkrich.??We were fortunate to have Kristen and Bobby create ?Remember Me??it?s the signature song made famous by Ernesto de la Cruz, and it embodies the key theme in our story: the importance of remembering loved ones both in life and beyond.?

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)ANTHONY GONZALEZ, BENJAMIN BRATT, JOHN LASSETER (CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATIONS STUDIOS)

Unkrich, co-director and screenwriter?Adrian Molina?and producer?Darla K. Anderson?shared details about the original story with the crowd.

In theaters?Nov. 22, 2017,?COCO?introduces Miguel, an aspiring musician whose family long ago banned music. Desperate to prove his talent and follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel makes a fateful decision and finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he meets his extended family and charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael Garc?a Bernal). Together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

My last panel of the 2015 event was a Frozen sing-a-long with team Lopez, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad.

I thought it was a nice wrap around tie in that my first panel of 2017 opened with the same franchise.

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, amused us with his banter (he clearly has a crush on Kristen- I mean, who doesn’t?) and surprised the crowd with a live performance of the all-new original song ?That Time of Year,? written by?Elyssa Samsel?and?Kate Anderson.

The song is part of Walt Disney Animation Studios? new 21-minute featurette, which hits the big-screen in front of Disney?Pixar?s?COCO?on?Nov. 22, 2017.

And great news, Frozen fans!

Joining Bell and Gad in the featurette are?Idina Menzel?as the voice of Elsa, and?Jonathan Groff?as the voice of Kristoff. The original cast is coming back, which makes this Frozen-loving momma super happy.

Nope, I have not let it go!

Incredibles 2

One of my first runDisney costumes was Mrs. Incredible and I’ve so looked forward to the return of this kick-booty superfamily.

This should be no surprise to anyone who knows me and my superhero obsession!

John Lasseter was excited to share with fans a look at what the fashion world thinks of super-suit stylist Edna Mode?the petite-but-powerful character introduced in Pixar Animation Studio?s 2004 Oscar?-winning feature.

I legit cackled (as I’ve also channeled my inner Edna before in a race!) and loved this video celebrating her fashion sense.

Did I mention my superhero obsession? I had a moment when this happened, guys!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)SAMUEL L. JACKSON

Also, I need his shirt!

Bird revealed details of the upcoming caper, which puts the family into an expanded universe that includes new allies and a brand-new villain.

??Incredibles 2? is really a family film, it?s just that the family happens to have superpowers,? said Bird. ?They may have super speed or super strength, but they experience the same problems as any family.?

?Bob?s actually home with the kids this time and I?m the one out fighting crime,? added Hunter.??She joked, ?I?ve been working out 13 hours a day!?

We saw a clip featuring Baby Jack-Jack and his newfound powers and this kiddo is killing the superhero game!

Ralph Breaks the Internet

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)PHIL JOHNSTON, SARAH SILVERMAN, RICH MOORE

Confession: I haven’t even seen Wrecking Ralph and had very little interest in this sequel.

That all changed with ONE scene.

Guys. This was THE moment of the 2017 D23 Expo Animation Panel.

We were the first to see the global debut of a scene from the film that pays hilarious homage to the Disney Princesses.

I so wish I had access to share with you but you’ll just have to trust me on this: GO see this movie when it opens!

I initially thought we were being punked because it was so good and so funny and so irreverent that I thought, no way they are making fun of Disney culture like this!

But yeah, they totally did it- and it’s AWESOME.

Lasseter revealed that filmmakers had asked the original voice actresses behind the Princesses featured to reprise their roles for the sequence, and ?in a moment no Disney fan will forget,?Auli?i Cravalho?(?Moana?),?Kristen Bell?(Anna in ?Frozen?),?Kelly MacDonald(Merida in ?Brave?),?Mandy Moore?(Rapunzel in ?Tangled?),?Anika Noni Rose?(Tiana in ?The Princess and the Frog?),?Irene Bedard?(?Pocahontas?),?Linda Larkin?(Jasmine in ?Aladdin?),?Paige O?Hara?(Belle in ?Beauty and the Beast?) and?Jodi Benson?(Ariel in ?The Little Mermaid?) were welcomed on stage for the largest gathering of Disney Princesses in history.

Walt Disney Animation Studios? follow-up to 2012?s?Wreck-It Ralph leaves the arcade behind, venturing into the expansive universe of the internet?which may or may not survive Ralph?s not-so-light touch.

Filmmakers revealed a new character,?Yesss, an algorithm who plays an important role in Ralph and Vanellope?s journey within the internet.?Golden Globe?-winning actress?Taraji P. Henson(?Empire?) lends her voice to the character.

?Yesss is a new character who owns the website Buzzaholic,? said Henson. ?Yesss knows about everything cool and on trend. And she does spell her name with a triple ?s.? Yesss is very savvy, smart and sexy.?

In theaters on?Nov. 21st, 2018.

Untitled Disneytoon Film

John Lasseter?kicked off the presentation by announcing Disneytoon Studios? original new animated movie, ?Untitled DTS Film.?

Directed by?Klay Hall?and?Bobs Gannaway, and produced by?Ferrell Barron, the theatrical feature film explores the future of aviation?taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air?and beyond.

The clip we saw showcased incredible animation and I cannot wait to hear more about the storyline going on here!

?Untitled DTS Film? opens in theaters on?April 12th, 2019.

Toy Story 4

Yes! We are getting more of our favorite toys with Toy Story 4. It’s slated for release on June 21, 2019.

We didn’t get to see too much of the actual story but had a fun behind the scenes intro to many of the folks working hard on this new installment.

John Lasseter?invited Pixar?s?Josh Cooley?(?Riley?s First Date???short) to the stage, revealing that Cooley has assumed full director responsibilities for?TOY STORY 4.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)JOSH COOLEY

Frozen 2

First of all, this is NOT the title. But neither is “Thawed” – apparently John Lassiter hears that suggestion a lot.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)KRISTEN BELL, JOSH GAD

John Lasseter, Bell and Gad shared with?FROZEN?fans a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the filmmakers? recent research trip to Norway, Finland and Iceland.

Untitled Dan Scanlon Movie

This movie sounds like it’s going to be a full Kleenex box movie. Bring your tissues, guys!

Director?Dan Scanlon, who helmed Pixar?s ?Monsters University,? joined Lasseter to share a few details about an all-new original feature film currently in production at Pixar Animation Studios.

According to Scanlon, who lost his father at a very young age, the film is inspired by the question he?s always asked: who was my father?

The story is set in a world with no humans?only elves, trolls and sprites??anything that would be on the side of a van in the ?70s,? said the director.

?In the film, we?re going to tell the story of two teenage elf brothers whose father died?when they were too young to remember him.?But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.??Kori Rae (?Monsters University?) will produce.

The 2017 D23 Expo Animation gave us so many great things to look forward to. It’s only a matter of time until we get to see it all!

Patty Holliday

If she isn’t chasing her four kids around Northern Virginia, Patty is chasing four bars on her phone to share her authentic and fun stories on social media and her blog, My No-Guilt Life. She’s also one half of the Marvel Moms, an online community for discussing the Marvel fandom. You can catch up on her runDisney fun at No-Guilt Disney.